"i was very excited to see that a new recording of this wonderful old show was going to be available. it is refreshing to hear the songs as they were originally performed in the theatre with just a piano and a harp. the original cast recording of this show "spruced up" their recording by adding a second piano, bass and drum and even a cello on a selected tracks. the voices are wonderful and the interpretations are true to the original. almost all of the incidental music is included in this release as well. some of the tempos are a little draggy and i do not feel that it was necessary to rewrite the lyrics to "it depends on what you pay." this show is a product of its generation and people who know and love this show will not be offended for keeping the original text to that song."
Exquisite
David Massinelli | Atlanta, GA | 01/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"So lovely to hear more of this enchanting script and score. The casting seems dead on. The piano and harp are beautifully complementary and very articulate. I highly recommend this recording. It takes nothing away from the original, but the advanced recording techniques make for terrific listening."
Try to remember.....
Neil Elliot | W. Hollywood, CA | 06/12/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I have the original cast which I got in 1963 (now on CD) and have loved it since. Watching Jerry Orbach grow from El Gallo to a Broadway musical star and then the best cop on Law and Order was a treat. To this day, the original cast stands radish and sauerkraut above the next few recordings.
I have the Japanese tour, which actually ain't bad, but it's not quite as focused as the first.
And now, the '06 revival. At least the world has a place to see and hear this cautionary, delightful fairy tale romance. And, as with the original, many casts will retell the story....but as a permanent record of the original revival cast, I am extremely disappointed. The Girl has a beautiful singing voice, but the snippets of her scenes are almost painful to listen to. The Boy has his s..t together and is the highlight of the show (the fathers and the supporting cast running a close second).
My biggest disappointment is El Gallo. I thought the film El Gallo was off, but I've found a less powerful example. What happened to trained voices and acting skills over the past 40+ years.
New to THE FANTASTICS? Opt for the original....in this case it's the TOPS!!!"
GOODBYE RAPE!
HH | Sherman Oaks, CA USA | 09/23/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"When asked why the Rape Song "Abduction" was removed from modern productions, the authors explained "Rape had a different meaning back then, and modern audiences might find it offensive" Okay, at what point did the word Rape get a different meaning? It's meant pretty much the same thing for the past 400 years. Re Censoring a musical classic makes The Fantasticks first act SO saccharine, one easily could get insulin OD. The whole second act is dark and offensive, so why remove one of the more CLEVER songs and connotation of the Rape of the Sabine Women, the same story SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS was taken from. Censorship, Political Correctness and the butchering of a standard is disgusting and, as far as I'm concerned, one of the seven Deadly Sins."
Faithful Tribute
Rob in Santa Monica | Santa Monica, CA USA | 11/21/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Every "live" art can be legitimately revisited, and renewed with new talent and perspective. This is a wonderful new recording in which, perhaps, new stars are being born. If this form and these sentiments someday die out, then I want to disappear with them. But not to worry, I believe there will always be an audience for such creativity, whimsy, quality, emotions and affection. In the CD notes the composer writes of sometimes having composed without a piano, where he could "easily gravitate toward the same old chords and clichés." He wrote this music almost 50 years ago! The Fantasticks might not quite make it into the pantheon of American Musical Theatre, but almost. And this new recording is delightful. May it run in NYC for another 40 years."